Patrick V. Plassio

Patrick Plassio’s diverse practice includes complex commercial disputes of all sorts, with a focus on technology-related matters. He has litigated cases involving patents, copyrights, trade secrets, fraud, and breach of contract. Patrick has experience in all pre-trial phases of a case—he has conducted internal and pre-trial investigations, led teams through complex e-discovery issues, assisted with depositions, and briefed and argued dispositive motions and appeals. He serves clients in the telecommunications, media, technology, manufacturing, and energy industries, among others.

After graduating from law school, Patrick clerked for the Honorable Xavier Rodriguez of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, where he was immersed in federal practice and procedure, as well as in cases centered on intellectual property, voting rights, the Endangered Species Act, and wage and hour law.

Technology, IP, and Trade Secrets Litigation

• Defended telecommunications company against patent infringement lawsuits related to internet filtering technology
• Represented manufacturer of telecommunications hardware in action for breach of contract and against fraud and trade secret counterclaims related to energy-efficient financing
• Represented manufacturer of semiconductors in intellectual property dispute involving complex claims for breach of a technology license agreement and patent infringement
• Defended international software developer against claims of patent and copyright infringement
• Represented media company in pursuing claims against provider of streaming services for indemnification against patent infringement claims, including by successfully briefing and arguing numerous dispositive and discovery motions
• Represented clients in the food and beverage, media, transportation, and energy industries in trade secret matters related to the enforcement of non-competition agreements, including litigating requests for emergency injunctive relief

Merger and Acquisition Litigation

• Represented technology company in earn-out litigation against a former executive
• Represented purchaser of a manufacturing company in pursuing claims against seller for fraud in concealing anticipated declines in revenue
• Represented energy company in enforcing indemnification rights in an agreement through which it had acquired a subsidiary

Other Litigation Matters

• Defended manufacturer of plumbing parts in multi-national, multi-district products liability class action
• Defended oilfield services company against claims for tortious interference, business disparagement, unfair competition, and violations of the Lanham Act
• Represented investment funds before the Texas Supreme Court in an appeal of the denial of their motion under the Texas Anti-SLAPP statute
• Asserted breach of contract claims for manufacturing company in cross-border case involving receipt of polluted goods, including by successfully arguing a dispositive motion and an interlocutory appeal of the same
• Prosecuted claims on behalf of a pro bono plaintiff in a motor vehicle collision lawsuit

Additional Experience

• Conducted internal investigation of technology company related to employment law issues and best practices
• Conducted internal investigation of technology company related to potential shareholder suit
• Advised clients on best practices, policies, and procedures for maintaining privilege in internal communications